It’s no secret Houston is a city full of glamorous givers and shakers, but Tuesday night at Tootsies, the point was underlined and bolded at the ABC13’s 2018 Women of Distinction announcement party. In a life post-Harvey, it was a vibrant reminder of the city's generous nature and an evening filled with unabashed cheers and laughter.
Bubbles were the order of the evening for the more than 250 guests who hit the tony boutique, applauding their friends and family. ABC13 anchor Melanie Lawson emceed the presentation and encouraged the crowd to whoop it up in honor of their friends and family, and the crowd was happy to oblige.
The 2018 Women of Distinction includes Kristy Bradshaw, Kim Padgett, Amy Pierce, Denise Castillo-Rhodes, Leigh Smith, Kristina Somerville, Ileana Trevino, Stephanie Tsuru, Hallie Vanderhider, Sharleen Walkoviak and Carol Sawyer, the 2018 Ambassador. When Sawyer was called onstage as the ambassador and saw there was not an additional chair, she joined the sisterhood and perched on the laps of the other honorees.
The announcement party is in anticipation of the January 27, 2018 Winter Ball themed “Club 31,” which celebrates the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation 50-year-anniversary and the 31st year for Winter Ball. Former Women of Distinction and event chairs Alissa Maples, DeeDee Marsh, and Kelli Weinzierl welcomed the crowd and introduced Trini Mendenhall as the event’s honorary chair.
Notables in the crowd included Virginia and Dan Steppe, Elizabeth and Alan Stein, Betty Hcncir, Gaye Lynn and Stuart Zarrow, Mary Ann Wilkins, Kelley Lubanko, Franelle Rogers, Joel Cowley, Beth Wolff, Gayla Gardner, Jo Ann Petersen, Joanna Marks, Alex and Astley Blair.
Lisa Francisco, Stephanie Tsuru.
